San Antonio Construction News June 2020

Covering the Industry’s News

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www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 23 H Number 6 H JUNE 2020

Firefighting to firefighting

A decade of good

The ABC Fire Systems LLC family L-R: Kimberley Duran, Anthony Cottrill, Brett Neely, Lee Lane, Juan Perez and Tyler Dewey.

Celebrating 10 years in business, L-R: Yvette and Kurt Robinson are excited about the company’s future.

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mployed with the New Braunfels Fire Department and later transferring to the fire marshal’s office, Lee Lane was a licensed paramedic, firefighter, and peace officer that performed investigations and inspections in the city of New Braunfels. During his tenure he also attended Texas State University and earned a BAAS Degree with a focus on criminal justice and sociology.

Lane also had a passion for flying. He began flying at an early age with his father. While on a fire inspection at the airport, Lane met a gentleman that desired to start an air ambulance company and took a full-time position as chief flight paramedic, obtained his air ambulance license and supervised 40 medical staff and four aircrafts.

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ounded as a mom and pop shop by Jim and Barbara Moore in 1980, Moore Erection LP celebrates 40 years in business.

If you know Moore Erection, you are familiar with Buzz Park and Dallas Cloud.

The Moores brought Park on as an estimator in 1983. Cloud joined the mom and pop shop in 1984 and began training Cloud to oversee the financial end of the business. Both would go on to take over as president and executive vice president, respectively, in 1997 accompanied

by Paul Hargrave as vice president.

When Park, Cloud and Hargrave transitioned into leadership roles in 1997 as majority owners, the company switched gears by becoming an employee-owned firm where everyone there had a stake in the business. Heartbreakingly in 2002, the company suffered a serious loss when Hargrave was tragically killed in an auto accident.

After several years, he began to fly full-time. He obtained his jet rating and was type rated as captain of a Hawker Beech Jet. Upon the economical downturn of 2008, Lane discontinued flying and started ABC Fire Systems LLC.

Fire suppression had always been an idea as he had seen the demand for such a business increasing in the New Braunfels area. “I saw the fire code being adopted in many local cities and counties. I knew the demand for fire alarm and fire sprinkler was going to increase,” says Lane.

First it was door to door fire extinguisher inspections and sales. “It was challenging having to solicit door to door for their business, but it paid off. I was raised on a never give up mentality,” says Lane. continued on Page 18

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t’s been 10 years since Kurt and Yvette Robinson jumped in with both feet to start Robinson General Contractors.

Specializing in remodeling and renovation, the company has much to be excited about.

As the company’s 10-year anniversary nears, Yvette finds it hard to describe.

“It’s hard to describe. I feel like we just started and in some strange way, we are.

We are just starting out. Now it’s setting those roots and figuring out who we are and how we’re going to move forward.”

But moving forward really isn’t an issue. It seems the path is being laid before them.

When Kurt and Yvette decided they were going to start their own general contracting business, they knew what di-

rection they wanted go. They wanted to focus on remodel projects and renovations, and at that time, it turned out to be a smart move.

“The first ten years were all about establishing our roots. The next ten years will be about growing. It’s pretty organic.

It hasn’t been an easy ride but luckily, we got in and started with a poor economy.

We were able to ride the wave of the economy as we established ourselves,” says Kurt.

“We had the insurance, the ability and the skill. Because we knew quite of few people in the industry, we were able to get in and get jobs done just as well as a larger company. For being in a bad economy, we didn’t have the overhead continued on Page 18

Moore strong at 40

Moore Erection LP team L-R: Julio Alvarez, Don Drake, Jesse Aguiree, Cait Morton, Jonathan Harris, Robin Clayton, Mike Summers, RB Morton and Dallas Cloud.

2011 became a significant year for the employees of Moore Erection LP. It was then, effective Jan. 1, 2011, Moore Erection implemented a 100 percent employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

Until 2010 the company was 57 percent owned by Park and Cloud.

By 2017, Park who had been with the company since 1983 started making arrangements to retire. As head of estimating, he brought in Julio Alvarez and began training Alvarez to take care of Moore Erection’s structural division of estimating while RB Morton, the company’s vice president oversaw estimating for the company’s pre-engineered division.

In 2018, Park retired, and the company would once again see a significant change. His retirement resulted in the shift of personnel. Cloud moved into the CEO position, and RB Morton moved up as president of Moore Erection LP. Morton, who started with Moore continued on Page 18

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Helping employers during COVID-19

hen the workers’ compensation rates skyrocketed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Workers’ Compensation Fund. Years later, Former Governor Rick Perry, changed the fund’s name to Texas Mutual Insurance Company by signing into law HB 3458 authoring it to operate as a mutual insurance company.

Committed to building a stronger, safer Texas, they exist to protect businesses, promote safe environments and help ensure Texas workers get home safely to their families.

As Texas and the rest of the world navigate through the unique situation that the coronavirus is posing, Texas Mutual stands strong in their commitment to those who count on them by supporting their policyholders; stepping in for their communities; helping their agent partners; and keeping employees safe.

For the past 22 consecutive years, Texas Mutual has distributed dividends to reward policyholders who contribute toward keeping employees safe and losses low. When an employer purchases a policy at Texas Mutual, they are not just buying financial security for themselves and their employees. They’re also becoming owners of Texas Mutual. As a policyholder, you can improve your chance of qualifying for a dividend by prioritizing safety and putting a return to work program in place.

Texas Mutual paid $330 million in dividends to 57,000 eligible policyholders in April 2020, bringing the 22-year payout total to over $3.1 billion. Paying the dividends two months early put funds into the hands of Texas employers when our economy needed it most. Dividend distribution has been at the heart of consistently rewarding their policyholders for sharing in their mission of building safer workplaces.

Texas Mutual has also committed $2 million in grant funding for nonprofit organizations across the state that are vital to COVID-19 relief and recovery.

Furthermore, a number of nonprofit organizations that received workforce development grants from Texas Mutual earlier this year have been released to use those grants not just on specific programs but for meeting the needs they have now, whether that is payroll for staff or supplies to serve those in need.

Texas Mutual has also helped employers settle into new remote work environments by providing tips and safety guidance. As employees have been working remotely from their homes, most people don’t have the same type of workstation in their homes as they do at the office. The following tips are recommended best practices to help you work productively and safely at home.

Choose a dedicated workspace: Designate a spot in your home for working. It should ideally be a space you don’t relax in so there’s a separation of work and play.

Define a beginning and finishing time: Pick a definitive start and end time each day to establish a clear balance.

Dress the part:

Dress like you’re going to the office; it helps keep a sense of routine and keeps you focused.

Have a plan:

Keep a more structured daily schedule than usual to help you avoid distractions and maintain productivity.

Think about how you’re communicating:

Be conscious of how you’re commu-

nicating and the different communication methods you’re using.

Take clear breaks:

Remember to take breaks when you need to and use this time to get up, stretch and move around.

You can practice good computer security by utilizing a secured VPN and WiFi, keeping up with company-approved computer updates and being vigilant of phishing scams through email and phone.

Consider lighting and space when setting up your workstation:

Make sure you have enough lighting and space to work comfortably.

Stay hydrated and remember to give yourself a lunch break: Keep these things in mind as working remotely affects your normal office routine.

Ensure walking paths and doorways are unobstructed: This will help prevent slips, trips or falls and keep paths clear in case of an emergency.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors: It’s likely that you will already have these in your home so be sure to check their batteries and test them regularly.

Don’t place computers near heat sources: Computers and other hardware can overheat which could lead to malfunction and could even start a fire.

First-aid kit:

Accidents can happen at any time so be sure you can quickly find first-aid essentials in your home.

Maintain a clean and clutter-free workspace:

To minimize the spread of COVID-19, many counties and cities are implementing stay-at-home orders. While you are home and sharing space with your family members, be sure to sanitize your workstation and continue frequent handwashing. You should also keep your space free of trash and other hazards that could cause you to slip, trip or fall.

Use power cord ties: Cord ties can help you keep your cords organized, preventing trip and fire hazards.

Utilize surge protectors: Without a surge protector, a power surge can easily damage your computer, effecting your data or your system.

Keep liquids away from electrical equipment:

This includes on the ground and on your desk. You can also keep a coaster on your desk and a lid on your cup to help prevent any spills.

Prevent cybersecurity risks:

Fire extinguisher: Familiarize yourself with the fire extinguisher in your home so that if a fire occurs you are prepared to react quickly.

Prevent awkward postures and eye strain by making your workstation setup more ergonomic: Eliminate sources of glare behind the monitor and try not to face directly into a window.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule by looking at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Keep your shoulders relaxed with your elbows at your side.

Do not overreach for your keyboard or writing tools.

When in seated position, your hips should be level-to-slightly-higher than your knees.

If your feet don’t touch the floor, use a box or footrest to prop them up.

Your elbows should be even or slightly lower than your keyboard.

If possible, use an external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Take regular stretch breaks throughout the day. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Filling a niche

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Supporting first responders

Page 5

San Antonio branch manager, Shannon Cadena

ohn James started in the staffing industry in 1993 and almost immediately noticed a lot of things in the “temp” industry that he thought could use a positive spin.

He noticed that in the “temporary” business, the overall attitude, although unspoken, was that both clients and employees were replaceable. He felt that mentality resonated throughout most temporary agencies and he wanted to change that. “I think it resonates through the staffing industry as a whole unless that staffing company is specialized,” says James. “To be honest, I was frustrated and didn’t see an answer to the overwhelming problem.”

That was when he was approached in 1997 by a company who had decided to open a specialized company in the low voltage industry. It was also about the same time that the construction business in Texas was booming and it was a huge success.

With that, James founded Flex Tech, a low voltage and electrical staffing company in 2010.

Our Vision We are people serving people who serve people so that our positive influence on our clients and employees will inspire them to be their potential best.

“This is how we live our lives daily at Flex Tech. We do two things for our clients. 1. When our clients win large projects and they require more people than they currently have employed and it doesn’t make sense to hire these people, we provide them with skilled technicians

to make up the difference for the duration of that project. 2. We provide an avenue for our clients to recruit and hire skilled technicians on a full-time basis.

“We believe that the “temporary” industry has a stigma that tends to be undesirable to many companies and our response to that stigma is our experience and specialization in the industries that we service,” James adds.

Flex Tech provides technicians and professionals in voice and data cabling, fire alarm, security and access control, CCTV, nurse call systems, infant abduction, HVAC controls and audio visual.

“Our clients provide these installations in just about every commercial environment you can think of including hospitals, schools, commercial buildings (both high rise and campus environments), retail, manufacturing facilities, churches and more,” says James.

About 60 percent of Flex Tech’s business is voice and data or network infrastructure contractors.

“We see a huge need for new people in our industry and as such we train entry level technicians on EIA/TIA standards for structured cabling installations. We give them hands-on experience so that they actually enter the industry with a base knowledge of how these systems work and are installed,” James continues.

Two years after opening FlexTech in Dallas, James opened his second location in San Antonio in 2012. The San Antonio location services San Antonio and the Central Texas markets.

FlexTech is a low voltage and electrical staffing company in Dallas and San Antonio. -cmw

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The Bluerock team drops off over 1,600 lunch snacks to Pre-K 4 SA

orn and raised in San Antonio, Bluerock Construction Group coowners, Steve and Daniel Garcia, have a genuine desire to give back to their community and praise San Antonio’s first responders.

During the Christmas season, Bluerock literally donated a truckload of toys to Bexar County Precinct One’s toy drive.

They participated in the San Antonio Rodeo breakfast with Precinct 1 and donated over 1,200 tacos.

As the corona virus pandemic continues to hamper businesses across the world, here in San Antonio, Bluerock Construction Group continues to keep themselves busy.

Over the course of three weeks, the Garcia brothers have been giving back to the community between projects that seem to keep coming in. Partnering with Big Lou’s Pizza, David and Steve Garcia have provided lunch to San Antonio first responders as well as providing food items to feed over 400 families for PreK 4 SA. In total, they provided lunch to our first responders by supplying four large Big Lou pizzas to the Bexar County Fire Marshal/Office of Emergency Management; 11 Big Lou pizzas to the San Antonio Police Department Special Victims and Homicide Units; four Big Lou pizzas to Fire Station 29. They partner with Rico’s Nachos in donating and delivering 438 individual nacho packs, 360 pretzel bags, 360 Ramen noodle packs, 240 ce-

real boxes and 300 Rice Krispy treats.

“As we continue to get through this pandemic, we will continue to show our appreciation to our first responders. This was just the first round for us. We have many first responders that need our support,” says Daniel and Steve Garcia.

Bluerock Construction Group is a general contractor in San Antonio. -cmw

Bluerock Construction Group co-owners deliver 11 large Big Lou pizzas to the San Antonio Police Department Special Victims Unit and Homicide Unit

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Out of work? Here are some options for your health insurance.

John Schuler, President Time Insurance Agency Austin/San Antonio, TX

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he economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have led to historic level of job loss in the United States. Between the months of March and May, more than 31 million people have filed for unemployment insurance. Nearly 1.6 million Texans have lost access to employer- sponsored health insurance because of job losses related to the coronavirus pandemic. Eligibility for health insurance coverage for people who have lost employer-sponsored insurance depends on many factors, including income with working and family income while unemployed, state of residence and family status. Some employers may temporarily continue health insurance coverage after job loss, but this coverage is typically limited to short periods.

People who have lost employersponsored insurance (ESI) due to furlough or layoffs often can elect to continue their health insurance for a period of time through COBRA or may become eligible for subsidized coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces including Medicaid and marketplace subsidies. Given the health risks facing all Americans right now, access to health coverage after loss of employment provides important protection to Americans during these crazy times.

What coverage option is best for you or your employees?

COBRA

Cobra is a federally mandated insurance continuation program that employers in most circumstances are required to offer employees who have been terminated. It is required by your company to send you information if you qualify. If your company has under 20 employees, or if you work for a government or religious institution, Cobra likely doesn’t apply. Cobra is typically quite expensive (employees are responsible for 100% of the health-benefits premium plus an additional 2% administration fee) but it allows you to keep the same coverage you had when you were working. If you chose to enroll in COBRA, you are generally entitled to 18 months of continuous coverage. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Labor and Treasury Departments have temporarily extended the enrollment period to 60 days after layoff or furlough.

Medicaid

Some people who lose their jobs and health coverage may become newly eligible for Medicaid if their income falls below state eligibility limits. Medicaid eligibility is determined by income calculated based on other income in the family plus any state unemployment benefit received (the $600 per week federal supplement payment available until the end of July is excluded). Since the State of Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, eligibility is generally limited to parents with very low incomes or adults who fall into the “coverage gap” that exists for those with incomes above Medicaid limited but below poverty.

Marketplace Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage is available to legal residents who are not eligible for Medicaid and do not have an affordable offer of employeesponsored insurance. Unlike Medicaid, marketplace eligibility is determined by annual income for the calendar year and any federal unemployment benefits (including the $600 per week federal supplement) received. Advanced subsidies are available based on estimated annual income, but the subsidies are reconciled based on actual income on your following years tax return. People who have lost their ESI due to job loss qualify for a special enrollment period for marketplace coverage as well.

Short-Term Plans Short-term plans are also a potential option for people who have lost their employer-sponsored insurance. These plans are offered for up to one year and can sometimes be renewed under revised rules from the Trump administration.

Short-term plans generally carry lower premiums than COBRA or ACA-compliant coverage because they often provide more limited benefits and usually deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

John Schuler is the president of Time Insurance Agency. Time Insurance is a locally owned second generation Insurance Agency serving Central Texas since 1961. John has over 35 years’ experience in both insurance and surety bonds. Finding the right insurance policy does not have to be complicated. Visit our website www.timeinsurance.com for more information or purchase a surety bond online in seconds at

www.onlinebond.com

Don’t Fall for COVID-19 Money Scams Steven Bankler, Owner Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd. San Antonio, TX

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illions of dollars and valuable personal information have been lost to money scams and the problem is only increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re a business owner, you need to be extra careful right now because scams involving federal stimulus money and relief loans are increasing by the day. Criminals are counting on fear and compassion—two powerful emotions that are in large supply during a crisis—to trick you.

Your best defense is to be vigilant and arm yourself with the latest news. Be on the lookout for the following common scams: Fraudulent PPP and emergency relief loans With the trouble businesses have had securing PPP and other Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, fraudsters have stepped in to fill the void.

Many of these scams show telltale signs that they aren’t what they seem. Offers appear to come from the U.S. Treasury Department or SBA offering loans or grants in exchange for your personal financial information. But here’s what happens: They take that information and apply for the loan on your behalf, while you A) are on the hook to pay it back and B) lose your one chance to apply. Other scams promise a faster or guaranteed loan for a fee.

As the federal government opens additional funds for loans, it’s important to note: these loans don’t cost anything and they can’t be fast-tracked or guaranteed to go through. Your safest course of action is to work with a financial institution you know or with whom you already have a relationship.

COVID-19 PPE scams Getting crews back to worksites involves securing additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment—from masks to contactless thermometers and hand sanitizer—to protect them. Scammers have emerged by the thousands to take advantage of businesses needing these supplies. The FBI warns of several schemes involving PPE procurement that borrow from old scams, including a requirement for wired funds upfront and email phishing scams spoofing legitimate company email addresses to secure payment information.

Be on the lookout for unapproved vendors and those that are difficult to verify. If the seller contacts you, verify with the manufacturer that the seller is a legitimate distributor of their product.

Don’t overlook unusual payment terms or a sudden request to reroute payments. Follow your instincts and ask questions.

Social Security scams The IRS is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for a new twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers. The scam usually originates with a caller claiming to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s Social Security number due to an overdue tax bill. Don’t fall for it.

First, your SSN is not affected by your tax bill, and it doesn’t need to be reactivated or confirmed to remain valid. The immediacy of the call is also a red flag.

The IRS would never threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have a taxpayer arrested for not paying. Plus, the IRS would never demand taxes be paid without allowing the taxpayer to question or appeal the amount owed. A series of letters will almost always arrive before any other form of communication is initiated.

Charity fraud around major disasters

Unfortunately, criminals often strike along with major disasters like fires, floods, and outbreaks like COV-19.

According to the IRS, these fraudulent schemes usually start with unsolicited contact by telephone, social media, email, or even in-person. Bogus websites or phone number masking might make the soliciting “nonprofit” appear legitimate. The scammers may even claim to be working for or on behalf of the IRS to help victims file casualty loss claims and get tax refunds.

Be careful when being generous.

Research the organization and get their legitimate contact information from the Tax Exempt Organization Search at IRS. gov or through a charity evaluator like CharityNavigator.org. Never give or send cash (it’s better to give in a way that’s traceable, like a check or credit card), and don’t give out personal financial information to anyone who contacts you for it.

Fraudulent tax reminders

Last summer, the IRS detected a new email scam with subject line variations that include “Automatic Income Tax Reminder” or “Electronic Tax Return Reminder.” The emails have links that show an IRS.gov-like website with details that appear to be about the taxpayer’s refund, electronic return or tax account.

The emails contain a temporary or onetime password to “access” the files. But when taxpayers click through, it turns out to be a malicious file. The malware allows the imposters to gain control of the victim’s computer or secretly download software that tracks every keystroke, eventually giving them passwords to sensitive accounts, such as financial accounts.

The golden rule here is to not click on links within unsolicited emails. The IRS never initiates emails about tax refunds or sensitive information like PINs, passwords, or similar access information.

Protect yourself from these scams.

Hang up the phone, don’t click on the email, do your research. If it’s the IRS that’s supposedly contacting you, log in to your account at IRS.gov, call the IRS back directly (don’t use the number the solicitor gives you), or contact your CPA to find out if it’s legitimate. The same actions can be taken if the person contacting you claims to be from your bank or financial institution. In these cases, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Steven Bankler has more than 43 years of experience in the accounting industry. Steven’s expertise lies in consulting, planning, tax, and asset protection as well as exit strategy services for closely held businesses. He also provides litigation support (both as a testifying expert witness and a consulting expert), business negotiations and estate planning. Visit www.bankler.com for additional tax strategy tips and to learn more about Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd.

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

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Steps to Correctly Wear an N95 Respirator at Work

Cokinos | Young

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

J. Shannon Gatlin Senior Counsel, Labor and Employment Law

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ollowing these simple steps will help you properly put on and take off your respirator, and keep you and everyone else safe.

M. Wilson Stoker Principal Labor and Employment Law

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Rebooting Employment Law Compliance Efforts in a COVID-19 World

e are only weeks removed from the grand reopening of Texas, and although the construction industry was largely spared from stay-at-home orders by virtue of being considered an essential business, it has hardly been business as usual. COVID-related issues have dominated businesses time and resources and changed the business landscape for the foreseeable future.

The strongest companies are taking the pandemic and turning it into an opportunity to improve and streamline their businesses. Construction firms can take this opportunity to focus on to-do lists that will protect them in the “new normal,” whatever that may be. One such opportunity lies in the realm of employment law compliance, particularly if your company does not already have an established practice of regularly reviewing and updating its practices and policies. With an economic downturn, there is little doubt that employee claims and issues will arise, as they already have. A proactive approach to employment law compliance is the best way to protect your company from being disrupted or even crippled, by a disgruntled former employee.

There are many reasons that a proactive approach to employment issues makes business sense. For example, according to 2014 research by insurance data provider Advisen, the average cost to defend an employment lawsuit ranges from $200,000 to $300,000, and the litigation can be expected to last an average of almost two years. If a construction firm has 100 employees, it can expect to be hit with an employment law claim once every three years on average. Meanwhile, in 2019, the ten largest wage-and-hour class actions involving private plaintiffs resolved for a total combined $449.05 million in settlement value. Suddenly the idea of devoting $5,000 to $15,000 to make sure your house is in order seems a lot more palatable, doesn’t it?

While firms have been focused on COVID-related policies and procedures, certain gaps in policies may have become obvious in areas such as leave or discipline. Even if no obvious gap is known, now is the time to scan your operations for compliance. If you revised your employee handbook recently (and kept up-to-date with COVID-19 legislation), then a full review of those policies may be unnecessary; if you don’t have an employee handbook, then developing one should be a high priority (more on this below). Assuming there are no obvious areas of immediate need, three categories that provide good starting points are (1) self-audits; (2) handbook/policy review; and (3) employment law training.

A self-audit is a methodical approach for employers to determine their exposure to employment lawsuits and to minimize potential liability by taking preventative action. Self-audits are valuable tools for employers to discover and correct any issues before a governmental agency or plaintiff’s attorney. The term “self-audit” is somewhat of a misnomer because, to shield the findings of a selfaudit under the protection of attorneyclient privilege, an attorney should be

Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol.

substantively involved in conducting the audit. For growing businesses, the first step will be to determine which laws apply to the company. Some of the most important items for construction firms to self-audit include classification of 1099 independent contractors and employees; use of confidentiality and non-competition agreements to protect proprietary information, application of leave of absence policies, and medical inquiries and retention of employee medical information, as well as a review of job descriptions and proper classification of employees as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Texas Labor Code.

The second category of proactive compliance efforts is handbook and policy review. If your company does not currently have an employee handbook, developing one should be a priority. A company without a handbook is not positioned to properly manage employee issues or defend against employee claims.

A well-written handbook is the first step of a successful defense of claims. In fact, before an employee issue escalates to a lawsuit, the handbook policies will allow a company to properly manage and discipline employees correctly, to avoid misunderstanding and legal exposure. If an issue turns into legal action, those employment lawsuits many times hinge on consistent treatment of employees and/ or ensuring that employees were on notice of important company policies and procedures. The applicable handbook policy, as well as the signed acknowledgment form, should be critical to the defense employee claims. Certainly, you can expect that these documents will be exhibits in any litigation and can help you win or at least minimize damages. A handbook tailored to your business reflects how you conduct business can show judges, juries, and investigators your expectations and values. Alternatively, a company without a handbook simply does not appear competent.

Finally, one often overlooked but valuable preventative measure is employee training. Training management on employment law issues saves companies money – period. Although a Foreman or Superintendent doesn’t need to be a legal scholar, they need to know the basics of subjects like wage-and-hour and discrimination laws because it allows the company to manage employment issues in accordance with the law and, perhaps just as importantly, it provides defenses to the company that would not otherwise be available. Therefore, in addition to anti-harassment training – which should absolutely be conducted on an annual basis – management-level employees should be trained in how to address employee requests for leave or workplace accommodations (especially now!) or an unannounced jobsite visit by a government agency. Management serves as the mouthpiece of the company for many employment law purposes, and therefore you want to be sure that mouthpiece doesn’t say something that creates liability.

In addition, regular training of your full workforce on avoiding discrimination and harassment shows a good-faith effort continued

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Inspect the respirator for damage. If it appears damaged or damp, do not use it.

Cup the respirator in your hand with the nosepiece at your fingertips and the straps hanging below your hand.

Cover your mouth and nose with the respirator and make sure there are no gaps (e.g., facial hair, hair, and glasses) between your face and the respirator.

Place the strap over your head and rest at the top back of your head. If you have a second strap, place the bottom strap around your neck and below your ears. Do not crisscross straps.

If your respirator has a metal nose clip, use your fingertips from both hands to mold the nose area to the shape of your nose.

front. If the respirator does not need to be reused because of supply shortages, discard it in a closed-bin waste receptacle. Wash your hands.

Note: If you reuse your respirator, wear gloves when inspecting and putting on the respirator. Avoid touching your face (including your eyes, nose, and mouth) during the process.

OSHA has allowed several flexibilities due to N95 respirator shortages including decontamination and reuse guidelines, annual fit testing, allowing N95 respirators approved in certain other countries to be used, and some very limited use of expired N95 respirators. Whenever respirators are used utilizing these flexibilities, workers must perform a user seal check each time they don a respirator.

Avoid touching the respirator while using it. If you do, wash your hands.

Employers should not permit use of a respirator on which the worker cannot perform a successful user seal check. Visually inspect, or ensure that workers visually inspect, the N95 to determine if the structural and functional integrity of the respirator has been compromised. Over time, or as a result of the decontamination process, components such as the straps, nose bridge, and nose foam material may degrade, which can affect the quality of the fit and seal. OSHA’s enforcement flexibilities regarding N95 respirators are located here:

The following steps apply to removing and disposing of the respirator:

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/ news_updates.html

Wash your hands. Remove the respirator from behind. Do not touch the

natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Place both hands over the respirator.

Inhale quickly and then exhale. If you feel leakage from the nose, readjust the nosepiece; if leakage from the respirator edges, readjust the straps. Repeat until you get a proper seal. If you can’t get a proper seal, try another respirator.

San Antonio

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toward compliance to investigatory agencies and juries, not to mention the general public.

Now that businesses across the state are resuming, Texas is eagerly seeking a fresh start. It’s a great time to give your employment law compliance efforts a fresh look, too.

About the Authors: J. Shannon Gatlin is Senior Counsel in the Houston office of

Cokinos | Young and is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Gatlin can be reached at (713) 535-5504 or sgatlin@cokinoslaw.com. M. Wilson Stoker is a Principal in the Austin office of Cokinos | Young and also Board Certified. Mr. Stoker can be reached at (512) 615-8573 or wstoker@cokinoslaw.com.

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Monica M Harris

Owner/President Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC San Antonio, TX

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ollowing her heart and against the suggestions of friends and family, Monica Harris left San Antonio for Alabama. Little did she know, Alabama laid the path to becoming the owner of her business in a male dominated industry.

Tell me about Monica Harris. Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised here in San Antonio. I grew up on the southside. I really enjoyed growing up there. It was all I knew so it was perfect for me at the time.

Where did you go to high school?

I went to McCollum High School.

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

How did you evolve into the construction industry?

When I lived in Alabama, I met someone there who had his own company and we started dating. At the time, although I was working for someone else, I would help him with his books in the evenings and became familiar with service and construction.

One time when I decided to visit San Antonio, I invited him to join me. He had never been to San Antonio. After visiting, he suggested that maybe it might be a good idea to move back and start up our own company. He thought San Antonio had a really strong and upcoming market for our type of business.

At first, I didn’t think it was such a great idea since I really enjoyed working for the company I was with. I was actually pretty happy in Alabama. So, for about a year, we kept going back and forth on his idea of coming back to San Antonio. I was unsure and had doubts, but he would tell me that we could do it, and I could be the owner. I didn’t think I could do it, but he kept reminding me that I was already doing that in a roundabout way as a Business Operations Manager. Ultimately, we decided it would be best for us to come back to San Antonio and try to start up a company.

Tell me a little bit about your husband.

What is his name? How did you all meet? Were you all college sweethearts?

My husband’s name is Darren. No, we were not college sweethearts. I met him when I was out having drinks with a friend.

Is he a licensed air conditioner?

Yes, he holds the license for the company. He is very knowledgeable and very good at what he does. He is the technical brains of my company. We complement each other very well, he takes care of the field operations, while I focus more on the operations of our organization.

When did you start Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC? Accu-Aire Mechanical was started in July 2005.

Monica Harris, owner and president of Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC

Did you go to college?

Yes. I went to Troy State University Montgomery in Montgomery, AL. I studied finance and earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Finance.

Why did you choose a college in Alabama?

At the time, I was in a relationship with a guy who was in the Air Force. He was sent to Alabama for school and training, so I followed him.

What was it like, going to college in Alabama?

It was memorable. It helped me grow and become the person I am today. Great experiences!

A new marriage and a new business, that had to be somewhat stressful for you and a new marriage?

Not really. Actually it went pretty well.

We dated for quite some time before getting married, by the time we started my company we had known each other for several years.

Was getting your business up and running difficult?

Yes, it was difficult in the respect of trying to think of everything from start to finish. Yet, to be as productive as possible at the same time. If you were to buy into a franchise, you would be given a book or manual directing you on what to do and how to handle a situation. But in our case, we didn’t have that. We just had to make sure that we made sound decisions and at the end of the day we dotted our I’s and crossed our T’s. There are so many policies and rules to follow that familiarizing our-

Monica and her husband, Darren, with their children Makayla and Matthew during fiesta.

selves with them was as important then as it is today.

portunities, we should continue to take advantage of them and make our mark.

When you first started Accu-Aire Mechanical was it just you and your husband?

When we first started, there were three of us – my husband, myself and one other person who helped out in the office. It was like that for about a year. We grew to about five employees. Then we moved to around 15 employees and stayed at around that number for quite some time. Several years later we grew to about 35. Here, recently, we were up to 65 employees. Today, we are trying to stay around 35-45 employees.

I think that’s a good fit for us.

Do you have any children?

I do. We have two children, a daughter who is nine and a son who is six. We started late. I know this sounds selfish, but I was interested in myself. I wanted to go to college and make sure I graduated. I wanted to enjoy life as a single person and when I met my husband, we dated for several years before tying the knot. The first four years of our marriage, it was just us and our dogs.

We did whatever we wanted to, whenever we wanted to. Before having children, it gave us time to focus on our relationship and lay the foundation of our company.

Now our children need our time and it is great, because the company is running quite nicely on its own and I don’t need to be there every day to ensure its success.

What do you like most about owning your own business?

It gives me a lot of freedom to do the things that I need and want to do at any time without worrying about having to ask permission. I enjoy the flexibility and freedom to take care of things both professionally and personally. I love that. To be able to have that kind of freedom, there’s no amount of money you can place on that. I’m happy that I can rely on my employees to keep our operations flowing even if I’m physically at the office. It’s a great feeling. I’m so blessed to have this kind of opportunity.

What do you like most about the air conditioning business?

I love the air conditioning business because it’s everywhere. In every building, in every city in all structures. It’s a wonderful industry. Accu Aire is a commercial only business. We do not service the residential market. We work with corporations, local cities and the federal government. In our industry, our clients are always open. Summertime is always busy, but our winter season is just as busy! We have been very fortunate. In 2008 when the market crashed, that was one of our busiest years.

Accu Aire services hospitals, school districts, universities, federal buildings, city offices and other commercial establishments in need of service to their commercial equipment. Even now with all the changes that COVID-19 has made in our world, we are busy.

Growing up, did you ever think that someday you would own your own business?

No, I didn’t, to be honest with you.

Growing up I wanted to be a nurse or a lawyer. I have no idea what happened, but here I am running a mechanical contracting company and it’s awesome.

What is it like to be a woman business owner in the construction industry?

It’s different being a woman in the construction industry. My industry is definitely a male-dominated industry. When I first started my company, at times some people would think that I was just one of the office workers and didn’t realize I was the one who made the decisions. Our world continues to change, and women continue to make their presence in both traditional and nontraditional spaces. I think as long as women are provided op-

What do you do in your spare time to relax and further enjoy life?

I’m a homebody. I love spending time in our backyard with my kids and husband.

We have a swimming pool and sauna, so for me that’s super relaxing. I also enjoy fishing too.

Do you have a mentor who has helped you along the way with your business?

In the very beginning, I would reach out to my old boss in Alabama. I really learned a lot when I worked for him. My husband has also been there to guide me and provide suggestions when needed.

There are a couple of people here in San Antonio that have been helpful as well when I needed advice or guidance with my business.

Do you have any regrets?

Absolutely none. I wanted to be the different one in my family. My mom got pregnant with me as a teenager and dropped out of school. My dad dropped out of school as well. Nobody in my family had gone to college, so I wanted to be the one that went. I knew I wanted to make something of myself. My dad always told me that I needed to work for myself and not rely on anyone. So that stuck with me and pushed me to work hard and become who I am today.

You’ve been in business for 15 years now. Do you have plans for a 15-year celebration or will you wait for your 20th?

My plans were to wait for the 20-year mark, and with COVID changing the way we live and do things today, it’s probably best we wait. I know that we live in a great country and things will bounce back and be stronger for us all.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Anybody can do what I did. You just have to put your mind to it and take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you because they are out there. We live in a great country that al-lows us a lot of opportunities so take full advantage of them.

Accu-Aire Mechanical is a full-service commercial air conditioning contractor. - cmw

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

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Plumbing the hill country

In memoriam

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n May 17, 2020, Perry Louis Beyer, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior. He passed away in his home in San Antonio. Perry was 80 years old.

Born on Sept. 27, 1939 in Fredericksburg, TX to Louis and Erna Beyer, Perry graduated from G.W. Brackenridge High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He married the love of his life, Patricia Maher, on May 6, 1960. Together, they had four children. He worked for City Public Service for 35 years and Beyer Mechanical for another 25 years.

Perry was a family man who loved well and always served others.

He was passionate about mentoring couples and ministering to men, and was involved in church ministry and Bible Study Fellowship with his wife.

He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors with his family camping, hunting, fishing and making memories.

He supported his grandchildren by attending their games, recitals, activities and graduations. Perry has

blessed the lives of so many over the years and his legacy will continue to live on long after his passing.

Perry is survived by his wife, Patricia Beyer and his children Perry Beyer, Jr. and his wife, Cindy; Patrick Beyer and his wife, Dedra; Jeff Beyer and his wife, Melodie; and Cindy Dawson and her husband, Brad; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Beyer; mother, Erna Welgehausen Crenwelge and stepfather, Werner Crenwelge.

The Beyer family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Hope Hospice for their exemplary care for Perry in his final days.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bible Study Fellowship International, Cross Bridge Community Church and The Alzheimer’s Association.

Visitation was held May 25 at Porter Loring North Chapel. A memorial service was held on May 27 at Crossbridge Community Church.

-cmw

Hill Country Plumbing teammates L-R: Justin Talatham, Sheba to wolf, Zachary Cook, Suzanne Hagendorf, Jake Mayfield and Sam Wenzel.

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achary “Zac” Cook’s grandpa, Billy Stevens, started Hill Country Plumbing, 46 years ago in 1974.

His business savvy and desire to help others made such a strong impression on Cook that he wanted nothing more than to follow in his grandpa’s footsteps.

“I lived a couple of houses down from my grandparents and I would walk over there around six in the morning.

Then I would hop in the truck with my grandpa and head up to the office to see what I could do to help in the summers. It kind of just stuck with me and I got good at it. It’s an honest trade and something that will never go away,” says Cook.

Cook, a third-generation plumber, learned the plumbing trade along the way he says. He learned the old-fashioned way by watching the pros at work.

“Learning the plumbing trade was not difficult. As far as training, it was all onhands training. I did not go to a trade

school. I learned directly from the men who did it for a living. Of course one makes mistakes, but you learn from your mistakes,” he adds.

A couple of years shy of getting his Master License, Cook’s grandpa passed away. The family-owned business hired Jake Mayfield to help the company along until Cook obtained his Master License. “I got my Master License in 2017.

My granddad passed away in 2014. Jake has been very, very good to us. He’s a good person. He helped us out to keep the doors open and get my license so we could keep everything going.”

Located in Boerne, Hill Country Plumbing serves Boerne and its surrounding area down to Loop 1604 and up to Kerrville. Primarily focused on residential, they will not shy from commercial projects as well.

Hill Country Plumbing is a plumbing contractor located in Boerne, TX. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

In memoriam

Industry FOLKS Trisha Ramirez

Vice President – Business Operations

A-Ram Plumbing Inc. San Antonio, TX

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risha Ramirez grew up grew up in a neighborhood off General McMullen Dr. and lived close to Kelley AFB. Her family conducted lots of business at Kelley AFB as her father was a retired Vietnam vet. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School and is a firstgeneration college graduate. She graduated from St. Mary’s University with a BBA in Human Resource Management.

She met her husband, Albert, in junior high school. They have been married for 31 years. In high school, participation in the plumbing trades program in the 1980s laid the foundation for Albert’s plumbing career which led to his desire to become a small business owner in 1989.

“I started working in the construction industry in 2004, two years after I was laid off from USAA. With my degree in business human resources and my USAA business experience, I decided I would be of better value to our family plumbing business. To get myself educated in the construction plumbing trade, I began doing research to find resources and associations that could train and educate me. I want to give credit to the UTSA small business departments, Bexar County Mentor Protégé Program and two trade associations, Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio (HCAdeSA) and Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) for providing me with the business knowledge and essential tools to operate and grow A-Ram Plumbing. A-Ram Plumbing would not be the successful company it is today without the assistance that I have gained the last 15 years,” says Ramirez.

As vice president of business operations for A-Ram Plumbing, Ramirez manages business functions to include human resources, office operations, marketing development, payroll and legal. “I am a people person. I find great satisfaction in serving others. I love the flexibility that comes with being a business owner and this has been a great benefit in raising my three children. I love that we provide an essential service (plumbing) for communities in San Antonio and surrounding areas. I consider myself an advocate for small businesses. I believe in giving back to the small business community by volunteering or training any company that is in need. If I cannot help them personally, I will find a resource for them. They are out there, you just have to find them.”

She is grateful to the two mentors obtained through the Bexar County Mentor Protégé program, Bartlett Cocke and F.A. Nunnelly General Contractors, and the City of San Antonio Mentor Protégé program, Hensel Phelps General Contractors. All three of these general contracting companies have supported and guided A-Ram Plumbing through the past 10 years during a very unstable time.

Ramirez enjoys horticulture, cooking, hiking, reading and watching movies. She is always open for a nature walk, a spa appointment or planning spontaneous day or weekend trips with my family or friends. -cmw

This partnership L.C. “POP” Mosel, was a great idea Sr. was working for and M&M Metals Martin Bauml as an continues to grow estimator and manto this day. ager, when as the Louis was a fullstory goes, after time businessman, procuring and comhusband, father, pleting a job at buddy, friend, huntLackland AFB, Pop er, fisherman, craftsmade a deal with man, builder and Martin Bauml to hobbyist.

Louis purchase the comloved building mercial side of Marand construction tin Bauml. Pop so much that he brought in a partbuilt four boats in ner, Rigdon Terrell, his lifetime. The and Mosel and largest being a 30ft.

Terrell was formed L.C. “POP” Mosel, Sr. twin engine, off in 1947.

Louis Mosel started his career work- shore, deep sea fishing vessel named the ing for his father at Mosel and Terrell “Sea Pauper,” which took five years of soon thereafter. Louis went through the evenings and weekends to build. The plumbing trade and became a Master Sea Pauper was a true work of art and a Plumber. Eventually the name of the marvel in itself. It made all the newspacompany was changed to L.C. Mosel Co. pers and TV news. It was in service for L.C. Mosel Co. was a young and grow- over 25 years and was responsible for ing business doing plumbing and air con- dozens of contest wins and thousands ditioning work all over San Antonio and and thousands of caught fish.

Louis was introduced to skeet and was South Texas. To this day L.C. Mosel has completed many landmark projects such hooked. Louis competed in tournaments as the original North Central Baptist Hos- all over the US winning countless medpital, Ronald Reagan High School, John- als. At the age of 87, during the 2014 son High School, and the Toyota Assem- World Skeet Shooting Championships, Louis and his shooting partner broke six bly Building, just to name a few.

Louis worked at L.C. Mosel Co. from world records in the two-man team se1947 until his retirement in 2017. In 1974, nior veterans event. Louis was also Vetduring the heyday of a large governmen- eran and Senior Veteran Team Captain tal hospital building boom, he partnered 12 years for the Texas Skeet Shooters up with Kurt “AJ” Monier, a friendly com- Association.

Louis Mosel passed away peacefully petitor at AJ Monier Co., to start M&M Metals, a sheet metal fabrication com- on May 6 with his children by his side. pany. To partner with a competitor was He will be missed but not forgotten. an unusual venture, but Kurt and Louis The family is grateful for all the support trusted each other enough and felt it they have received from the industry was necessary to partner so they could and friends. Louis will be greatly missed handle the large volume of work both by everyone. -cmw companies were doing at that time.

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Page 11

Just Fishing – No Masks Needed

by Capt. Steve Schultz go to catch fish with your croakers.

I tell people all the time that the key to finding fish is finding bait on the water.

Where there is bait there will be fish. During the summer months we key on grass beds with sand pockets and windblown shorelines that keeps bait pushed tight against the bank. Rock piles and spoil island points are other go to places to cash in on specks and reds. The key is staying on the move and fishing during major and minor feeding times. Don’t get caught up watching the boats around outdo you for they may be fishing a structure that you cannot see.

Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Shoalwater Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, Shimano Reels, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, PowerPro, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, JL Marines PowerPole, AFW and AFTCO Clothing.

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ey folks, here’s what’s going on down on the coast. As far as I’m concerned, this whole COVID-19 has been blown totally out of proportion by the media and no longer is a topic for discussion in my household. Fishing is my day-to-day life and in my opinion there’s no safer place to be than on a boat in the middle of the bay. Businesses and restaurants are fully open, and hotels are now excepting reservations in Corpus, Port Aransas and Rockport. There’s still time to plan your summer vacation and fishing outings. Fishing has been on fire this last month and I predict it will stay strong throughout the summer months. Don’t hesitate and don’t be scared to grab your rod and reel, pack a bag. and go fishing.

Fishing has been on fire lately with a variety of species making it to the cooler as displaced by William and Jess Womack. Call Steve Schultz Outdoors at 361-813-3716 to book.

Last month, I brought the highly anticipated yellow flag to the marinas. Live croakers have become the choice of bait for most guides and recreational fisherman. Fishing these small fin fish is tricky and there is a technique that you must master to make these baits effective. The other factor is knowing where to go for the best opportunities to make these expensive suckers’ payoff. Did I say expensive? Hovering around the $12/dozen mark makes this one of the most expen-

Crazy horned trophy

Tyler McGinnis, son of Mike McGinnis with Allen & Allen Co. shot this “crazy” horned, 13-point buck this past deer season in Bracketville. Needless to say, this is his most prized trophy to date. -cmw

sive purchases for your day on the water.

This is why you must have the right equipment to keep them alive and healthy. The use of oxygen has faded in the past few years and been replaced with air bubbler’s with ceramic stones to keep you live bait from dying. Another key factor to keeping your croakers alive is to make sure that the salinity in your bait will match the salinity in the tanks of the marina that sold you the bait. Now comes the hard part - knowing where to

With the summer months being the most popular for fishing, I would not hesitate in call your favorite guide and scheduling your next outing. People are ready to get out of the house and get some fresh air, and the freshest air blows right in the coast from the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is fun but catching is what make memories.

Here are some dates open in the next few months. July 9,30,31 August 3,10,11,12,14, 19,20,21,25,26,27,28,31. Fall dates are also available. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail. com. Follow me of Facebook and Instagram at Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Good Luck and Good Fishing.

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country, You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio

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s we slowly start to open our world up again, we have sure seen some changes haven’t we?

When we meet someone now, handshakes and hugs that were once so automatic won’t work anymore, so what should we do? Please, someone just come up with a standard greeting, so we can stop with all this elbow bumping and shoe tapping and bowing and stammering! I feel like a little kid peeking around my momma’s skirt when I meet somebody. To mask or not to mask?

Aren’t you standing a little too close?!?

We have so much confusing data that everyone interprets differently!

One thing I do know is that we have seen a lot of people coming to the lakes to get a break. At first it was just family groups putting in their boats to spend an afternoon of extreme social distancing on the lake. It was good to see folks getting some relief from their worries in a place where they could get some sun and fresh air.

We did have to stop running charter trips for a few weeks, but are running trips again now. We are trying to respect social distancing as much as possible, and following other protocols to make our outings as safe as we can.

Fishing is good too. All those fish we left in the lake during the time we couldn’t go fishing are still there and ready to grab a bait. I think that is what I like about fishing. No matter what has happened to our way of life, nothing has

On the boat again! changed as far as the fish go. How do you greet a fish? With a baited hook, a returned jerk on the line, a nice fight and the scoop of the dip net. Pleased to meet you Mr. Fish!

It has been a pleasure to see how many families with kids have come fishing this spring. With school out and the absence of all the organized sports and activities kids are usually busy with, I think a lot of families have had the chance to slow down their routines and get back in touch with each other and come fishing.

The best part is when you catch your fish yourself you know how fresh they are!

You know that only you and your guide have handled and dressed your fish before he came to your kitchen. That is one less thing to worry about while we are seeing the problems the meat packing industries have had.

I hope we can successfully find our way back to a more normal way of life as we learn to live in a post Covid 19 world. It wouldn’t hurt for us to become more aware and appreciative of each other and stop behaving like a wild herd of folks crowding into every event. We could do with becoming more self-reliant and deliberate about being ready to take care of ourselves in case of emergencies. Maybe we have learned some good things.

It may be harder to find a table at your favorite restaurant because there are fewer tables and such, but you can always come fishing!

Stay well!

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

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Family fun

t’s always great to see families out and about doing things together and enjoying the great outdoors. Enjoying the great outdoors is a favorite pastime of the Stoddard family. Trichia Stoddard, JC Stoddard Construction shared these photos during her family’s recent outings at a private ranch in Dale, TX. -cmw

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Family fishing fun

onica Harris, president of Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC, enjoys fishing in Rockport, TX with her husband, Darren, and kids. Harris shares photos with Construction News of her kid’s fishing skills. -cmw

Darren and 6-year-old Matthew pose with his Matthew’s first catch of the day.

Jeron Curtis “JC” Stoddard, son of Curt Stoddard, spent the afternoon with his son fishing. JC and JC VI “Curts” snagged these beautiful speckled trout Mar. 25.

Makayla and Matthew definitely enjoy fishing. Look at the smiles on their faces as Makayla shows off her catch.

Makayla snares another fish for dinner.

With turkey season nearing its end, Susy Stoddard didn’t miss her opportunity to take her prized tom on Apr. 11.

Up, up and away

Kevin Bisang spends every day running his company B&E Contractors Inc., but on the weekends and every available moment, Bisang takes flight paramotoring.

“Paramotoring is a form of ultralight aviation where the pilot wears a back-mounted motor which provides enough thrust to take off using a paraglider.” -cmw

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Barkaritaville Pet Resort

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n December 2019, Leonard Contracting wrapped up construction of the Barkaritaville Pet Resort in Northwest San Antonio near the Dominion. The completion marks the opening of Barkaritaville’s second location, building upon the success of its original pet resort in Corpus Christi. To bring their vision for an innovative facility in San Antonio to life, owners Laina and Steve Schonefeld selected Open Studio Architecture and KFW Engineers for the design team and Leonard Contracting as general contractor.

The 16,000sf luxury pet resort offers lodging, doggie daycare and grooming services for its furry guests. The metal building structure features insulated metal wall panels, stone accents and a standing seam metal roof adapting the original location’s tropical architectural style into a hill country setting. The lobby, with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams, greets

Front desk, Barkaritaville Pet Resort

from Leonard Contracting and over 30 subcontractors. Special thanks to AR Utilities, Ecko Construction, Pro-Line Paving, Central Texas Fence, Cribley, Tarrillion Masonry, Zinsmeyer Structural Steel, KCM Cabinets, Biela Glass, Walls Across Texas, F.A. McComas, Alamo Stone & Tile, Commercial Surfaces, Bracken Plumbing, Jet Mechanical, Young Brothers Fire Protection and Mission City Electric for a job well done.

Leonard Contracting is proud to have been part of the team for this state-of-the-art project.

Barkaritaville Pet Resort San Antonio is now one of the premier pet service facilities in Texas.

Leonard Contracting is a fullservice general contractor in San Antonio. -cmw Barkaritaville Pet Resort, 7182 Oak Drive

visitors as they drop off their pets for a stay in one of the 144 climate controlled kennels which include 42 luxury suites and 102 cabanas. Fifty-four of these units include private access to an outdoor patio. The luxury suites offer ceiling fans and TVs. To keep everything clean, a state-of-the-art central vacuum system was installed.

Site work included demolition of two houses, plugging a water well and extensive offsite utilities. Retaining walls were built to accommodate the extensive outdoor amenities, from property line to property line, consisting of outdoor dog runs, play areas and a bone-shaped swimming pool. In order to provide its doggie guests access to the outdoor amenities, over 100 penetrations through the insulated metal wall panels were required.

Greg Grandjean was the project manager and Joe Maldonado was the superintendent for Leonard Contracting. The project team included skilled carpenters

Bone-shaped swimming pool.

Das Rec

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asters Electrical Services Ltd. is proud to have served Seguin, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and other surrounding central Texas areas for over 15 years. The company owners have over 40 years of experience in the electrical and construction industry.

As a local electrical contractor, Masters Electric was thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Byrne Construction Services in helping to build the newest recreation center in New Braunfels. This all came together with the approval of a $20-million bond in 2013, and thus Das Rec was born.

This new innovative facility blends modern designs and technology with the traditional New Braunfels German heritage. Contractors incorporated modern LED fixtures, and state-of-the-art lighting and lighting controls for optimal energy efficiency. They have also helped integrate several floors for the 77,000sf facility for maximum performance and functionality.

Some of those amenities include a childcare center, fitness floor, gymnasium, walking track, and Olympic sized swimming and leisure pools. Tradition is also weaved throughout Das Rec from the name of the facility down to the apparel available for purchase that plays off of classic German phrases.

Masters Electric’s owners, as well as numerous employees and their families, are all members of Das Rec and highly recommend this facility if you take pride in family values. Their staff is extremely welcoming and helpful which seamlessly ties into its family friendly environment.

From basketball courts to fitness classes and equipment, to the indoor tot splash zone and waterslide, all ages are sure to find themselves thoroughly entertained. All of these outstanding amenities make maintaining a healthy lifestyle for you and your family a huge hit for this city!

Masters Electrical Services provides a diverse range of commercial, industrial, large residential and oil field electrical contracting services. This project was made possible by Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects, Cleary Zimmerman (engineer), Byrne Construction Services (general contractor), and the City of New Braunfels. Our company is honored to have been included in the construction of this project.

Master Electrical Services Ltd. is a full-service electrical contractor in Seguin, TX. -cmw

Barkaritaville Pet Resort Leonard Contracting San Antonio, TX

Das Rec, New Braunfels, TX

Exterior view

Fitness floor ➤

Leisure pools

Gymnasium

Das Rec Master Electrical Services Ltd. Seguin, TX

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Temple Beth-El

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ounded in 1874, Temple Beth-El is the oldest synagogue in South Texas.

On April 12, 2016, the costliest hailstorm in Texas history ravaged its iconic terra-cotta dome roof.

When Beldon Roofing Company was asked to provide a proposal to reroof the dome, they were honored by the opportunity and excited about the challenges to help restore this San Antonio landmark.

While roofing restoration projects are common after a hailstorm, this project would prove to be anything but common.

The obvious would be difficult access, height and shape of the roof dome, including thousands of cracked roof tiles all beyond repair. Safety precautions, structural evaluations and historical restoration would be key components to the success of the project.

Since the construction of the building was completed in 1927, Beldon did not have access to any blueprints to detail the original construction. There was no record of the dome every being reroofed. Since there were no blueprints and Beldon could not get on the dome to measure it, Beldon turned to modern technology to assess the damage and measure the roof.

The project team would also spend weeks designing the new roof on computer software to ensure the tiles would be arranged precisely as had the original ones. Beldon’s goal was to bring back the dome’s luster while preserving its original design, including the multi-colored geometric pattern encircling its base. CEO Brad Beldon challenged the project team to “make the dome’s roof look like it had been powerwashed instead of replaced.”

First, Beldon flew a drone fitted with a high definition camera to capture still im-

Temple Beth-El new dome roof

ages and a 360° video. Then Beldon used a digital laser to measure the inside of the dome and transferred all the measurements to AutoCAD.

While reviewing the photos and video, Beldon realized there was a geometric pattern that surrounded the dome. However,

after extended exposure to the elements, the pattern had become quite faded and wasn’t easily recognized from the ground.

Even long standing members of the Temple never knew there were geometric shapes on the dome. Beldon asked Rabbi Alan Berlin if the geometric design had any

religious connotations and was told the geometric pattern did not.

The existing tile was made by Ludowici which has been manufacturing clay tiles since 1888. The existing color of the dome was a mixture of five colors Plumbstone (30%), Santiago Rose (10%), Summer Rose (18%), Burgundy (22%) and Slate Red (20%). Through research it was discovered that there were ten similar domed synagogues that were built across the nation during the 1920s. However, after the Great Depression, the construction of these unique buildings stopped.

Scaffolding played a vital role in protecting the workers, temple worshipers and visitors. Since one could not walk on the dome, a four-tier scaffolding system was erected to surround the dome to allow workers access to the sides and top of the roof. Beldon hired a structural engineer to assess the surrounding roof deck to confirm the structure would hold the scaffolding system. The scaffolding company provided engineered drawings to ensure the scaffolding system would not exceed construction loads during the reroofing process. Once the scaffolding was erected the roofing operations were able to begin.

With all the other considerations, the roofing crews had to be mindful of religious services and the children who attended the on-campus elementary school.

After removing the existing tile and underlayment the concrete roof deck was exposed for the first time in 90 years. The concrete deck was hand mixed and poured in the 1920s and needed some minor repairs. Beldon’s structural engineer inspected the concrete deck and recommend the method of repair. Once the concrete repairs

Temple Beth-El damaged dome roof after 2016 hailstorm.

continued on Page 16

San Antonio Botanical Center, The Betty Kelso Center

C

The Betty Kelso Center, San Antonio Botanical Gardens

entral Electric is a 2nd-generation electrical contractor celebrating their 45th anniversary this year. They primarily focus on building and designing unique and challenging electrical projects/solutions in the government and school markets. Occasionally, they partner on high end private construction opportunities. In this project showcase, we highlight Central Electric’s partnership with Kopplow Construction at the San Antonio Botanical Center.

San Antonio Botanical Center was established in 1980

Event contoured overhead ceiling rough-in

and currently sits on 38 acres. It serves as a living museum of native and imported plant life for visitors to appreciate, learn from and enjoy. This project is Phase II of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens multi-year expansion and upgrade project which included a new Administration building as well as a start-of-the-art Betty Kelso Center.

The Betty Kelso Center is the Botanical Gardens new Event Center capable of hosting up to 250 guests in a banquet setting or 350 quests in a lecture setting. With over 300 LED light fixtures, the Betty Kelso Center is equipped with the latest in lighting controls technology, featuring a state-of-the-art touch screen lighting control system, allowing for pre-programmed scenes to accommodate a variety of needs. Many of these fixtures help highlight the unique geometric exposed ceiling of the event center’s banquet hall.

The Event Center hall is surrounded by a glass wall system that allows one to take in the sights of the Greehey Event Lawn. The lawn is home to over 80 individual light fixtures that assist in accenting the trees, plant life, and the waterfall found in this area of the garden. The Event Center’s elevated boardwalk entry is illuminated with embedded handrail lighting, as well as pendant lights hanging from the nearby trees that assist in providing a warm welcome into the garden’s event center.

Central Electric was excited and honored to be part

Interior view of the Kelso Center

of this iconic project in our inner city. Central Electric’s founder, Fred Martinez, originally installed site lighting and worked on the existing arboretum in the late 80s.

Then, in 2015, Chris Martinez, president of Central Electric, participated on the past CoSA bond committee that helped provide funding for the expansion and improvement of the campus. Chris Martinez said, “It is always a great pleasure to have our team change the landscape of San Antonio from a project our Dad worked on many years ago!”

Central Electric is a full-service electrical contractor in San Antonio. -cmw Admin building electrical slab rough-in

San Antonio Botanical Center, The Betty Kelso Center Central Electric San Antonio, TX

Page 16

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Practing social distancing

continued from Page 15 - Beldon Roofing - Project Showcase were made, a self-adhering underlayment was installed. After all the tile was removed, a second layer of self-adhering underlayment was installed, followed by the battens and new Ludowici tile. To finish off the top of the dome, a new eight foot diameter copper cap was installed.

During the reroofing process, Beldon assisted the Temple’s executive committee in accessing the roof and had them write their names on the backside of a tile.

The project would take four months and 33,000 tiles to complete. Although you may not ever get a chance to see it, on

the backside of the very last tile installed, are these words written: “Beldon Roofing Company March 21, 2019.”

Temple-Beth El sits on a hill and its new roof can be seen for miles from various parts of the city. Beldon Roofing Company is proud to have restored such an important landmark for the community.

Beldon Roofing Company is a full-service roofing contractor based in San Antonio.

-cmw Temple Beth-El Beldon Roofing Company San Antonio, TX

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) South Texas Chapter staff members practice social distancing while taking a moment to say “Hello” to the readers of Construction News. L-R: Apprenticeship Director Jennifer Rocha, Workforce Development Tamara Schmoekel, Marketing & Events Coordinator Leah Villarreal, Controller Bob Jett and Chapter President Steven Schultz. -cmw

In memoriam

Pattie Gamez, Niznik Concrete, with her beloved son, Bobby J. Gamez

B

obby J. Gamez was called home to his Lord and Savior on May 9, 2020.

Gamez, who was 37 years old at the time of his passing was a devoted and loving husband and father of two. Raised in Spring Brach, Gamez attended Smithson Valley High School. He was a project manager for Johnston Industries and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his motorcycle. Most importantly, Gamez loved spending time with his family and coaching all little league sports.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, Bobbie and Evelyn Smith,

Juan Gamez and Maria de Leon; Bobby is survived by his wife, Victoria and children, Brooklyn and Brantley; his parents, Orlando and Pattie Gamez and Barbara Smith; brothers, Casey and Justin; sister, Leslie; three very close cousins “brothers,” Jose, Randall and Will; several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many very close friends. He will be missed by all.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm, May 13 at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Blanco. Graveside services will be held 2pm, May 14, at Blanco Historic Cemetery with Rev. Rusty Gray officiating. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

F

Page 17

Lightweight stays strong

or most, to be successful is about finding the perfect fit. Your niche, if you will. For the folks at Drury South Inc. that is exactly what they did. They found their niche and have been going strong for 35 years.

Specializing in lightweight insulating concrete roof deck installation, Drury South was founded in 1985

by Robert Drury.

Mr. Drury had been in business since the 1950s.

He was instrumental in the design of equipment and even built one of the pumps Drury South uses today in the application of lightweight concrete roof insulation systems.

“All we do is specialty product roof decking. It is L-R: Drury South Inc’s Vice President Mark Stevens and lightweight insulating conGeneral Manager Drew Svendsen. crete. 90 percent of our work is schools. The other 10 percent is through the years because they have office buildings, universities, hospitals, not waivered on the product they have to and commercial construction, “ says Vice offer and have perfected the installation of lightweight insulating concrete roof President Mark Stevens.

“When we started, there were several decks.

As the roofing industry changes with companies in Texas and probably a 100 nationwide that performed lightweight the changes in energy codes every three concrete insulations. There aren’t that years, they see increasing in R value, roof many anymore. It is an old product used warranties, wind uplifts, fire rating and before they started making insulation slope. The lightweight concrete roof insuboard and other materials used on roofs. lation installed on roof decks helps with Before insulation boards, you poured these changes. “It aides in fire rating, your roofs with gypsum, perlite or ver- wind uplift, slope to drain, sustainability, R miculite and that is what insulating con- value, costs and production,” says Stevens.

Drury South Inc. is a lightweight concrete is. It’s an old business but still widely crete insulation roof subcontractor headused and still popular,” adds Stevens.

Drury South has remained successful quartered in San Antonio. -cmw

A mulch needed distraction

D

Donna Hoss, owner of Blanco Road Mulch & Landscape Materials.

uring her daily commutes to visit her daughter who was battling the effects of Rett Syndrome, Donna Hoss passed an abandoned piece of property with several metal buildings on it. For years this property laid vacant until one day, it was for sale. Hoss immediately inquired about the property.

Her husband, Cliff, had passed away in 2012. Her daughter, Jodi, was growing weaker as the effects of Rett Syndrome were taking over her tiny body.

Hoss purchased the property and with help from her son, Jesse, began clearing the property and emptying the abandoned buildings. Once the buildings were cleared and readied, Hoss would bring Jodi to see the progress of the property so that she might be a part of Hoss’ new adventure until Little Jodi succumbed to the effects of Rett Syndrome and passed away in 2015.

After the passing of her husband and now daughter, Hoss needed a distraction. In 2016, the vacant piece of property and its abandoned buildings became the new home of Blanco Road Mulch &

Landscaping Materials.

Blanco Road Mulch & Landscaping Materials began serving home owners and professional contractors in the area.

They are a family-owned and locally operated business offering a variety of soils, compost, mulch, rock and sand.

“It was a slow process at first. When I purchased this property, there was nothing out here. Now we have new subdivisions all over the area. The timing was good. We are getting busier every year.

Some bigger landscape companies are now calling us for materials, so we are able to be a part of the commercial side as well as the residential side,” says Hoss.

“Our cedar and native mulch is grounded in-house to prevent any cross contamination and to insure only high quality material is used,” adds Hoss.

From humble beginnings with just one product, Blanco Road Mulch & Landscape Materials is equipped with a variety of soils, sand, rock, base and natural mulch.

Blanco Road Mulch & Landscape Materials is a supplier of landscape products in Bulverde, TX. -cmw

The Resource Guide Associations and Construction Education

Subcontractors

Suppliers

Service Providers General Contractor

Truck & Equip Dealers

For Info on Resource Guide: Dana@ConstructionNews.net Buddy@ConstructionNews.net

Page 18

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Association Calendar

Content Contentsubmitted submittedby byAssociations Associationsto toConstruction ConstructionNews News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

Jun. 3: Breakfast Club, Alamo Café, 14250 San Pedro Ave., 7am.

Jun. 4: Spring Golf Tournament & Casino Mixer, SilverHorn Golf Club, 1100 W. Bitters Rd., 12pm Registration, 2pm Shotgun Start, 9-Hole Scramble. Casino Mixer 4-7pm. For more info, contact Leah Villarreal at leah@abcsouthtexas.org or 210342-1994 AGC

Associated General Contractors

Jun. 8: Annual Golf Tournament, The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd., 7:00am Registration, 9am Shotgun Start, $200/player, $750/team. For more info, contact Kelly Wilson at 210-349-4921.

ASA

American Subcontractors Assn.

Jun. 23: Association Celebration, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels, 7th Flr., 6pm.

Jun. 26-27: ASA Fishing Tournament, Drifters Resort, 4401 TX-35 BUS., Rockport, TX. For more info, contact Jennifer Swinney at 210-349-2105 ASSP

American Society of Safety Professionals

Jun. 23-25: Safety 2020 Professional Development Conference & Exposition, Safety 2020: Virtual. For more info, contact Nancy O’Toole at 847-768-3466 or email notoole@assp.org GSABA

Greater San Antonio Builders Assn.

Jun. 20-28: 2020 Parade of Homes, Cantera Hills. For more info, email fmorin@sabuilders.com HCA de SA

Hispanic Contractors Assn. de San Antonio

Jun. 3-4: OSHA 10 Spanish, HCA Offices, 2391 NE Loop 410. To register call TDI at 512-804-4610 Jun. 17: Monthly Meeting/Mixer, The Quarry Golf Club, 444 E. Basse, 5:30-8pm.

Jun. 17-18: OSHA 10 English, HCA Offices, 2391 NE Loop 410. To register call TDI at

512-804-4610. For more info, call Victoria Rodriguez at 210-444-1100 or email vrodriguez@hcadesa.org.

IEC

Independent Electrical Contractors

Jun. 12: IEC Graduation, Norris Conference Center, 6:30-8pm -TENATIVE, PENDING COVID-19.

Jun. 19-20: 20th Annual IEC San Antonio BBQ Cook-off, Helotes Fair Grounds, 12210 Leslie Rd. For more info, contact Julie Tucker at 210-431-9861 or email jtucker@iecsanantonio.com MCA-SMACNA INC

Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Assn.

Jun. 10: Regular & Associate Meeting CANCELLED Jun. 24: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, MCA-SMACNA office, 12500 Network Blvd., #410, 11:30am. For more info, call Sandee Morgan at 210-822-3763 PHCC

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors

Jun. 11: PHCC Monthly Membership Meeting, Location TBD. For more info, call Heidi Trimble at 210-824-7422 or go to www.phcc-sanantonio.org TACCA

Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn.

Greater San Antonio

Jun. 31: 31st Annual Golf Tournament, The Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd.

For more info, call Dawn Thompson at 210-901-4222

continued from Page 1 — ABC Fire Systems LLC Eventually he hired a helper who is now the company’s fire alarm division manager. In 2010, the fire alarm division was started. The company’s fire sprinkler division was created in 2011.

ABC Fire Systems currently employs 20 employees. “We have only one office location, but it hasn’t set us back as of yet.

The company has been blessed with some of the best designers, technicians, managers and office staff. Team mentality is strong in our business. No one is too good for any job or they do not last long.

We treat our employees as family, of course, after they earn the respect. Without a team, a business does not progress forward. We have been very blessed. My savior, Jesus Christ, has blessed ABC Fire with a great group of team members and clients,” Lane continues.

ABC Fire Systems services Texas specializing in new construction of fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and restaurant suppression systems. “We work anywhere in Texas. We have recently been awarded several big box store fire sprinkler system changeouts across the southern US. A crew recently returned from replacing a couple of dry sprinkler systems in a big box store in Kentucky, and we are contracted on several more,” adds Lane.

Since starting ABC Fire Systems, Lane has seen several companies start up per-

forming the same services in their area.

“A few have made it, but several have failed. As an outsider looking upon them, it appears that not having the proper team is a detriment. We do enjoy competition. It keeps everyone honest and offers the best results for the customer.”

Reminiscing over the many jobs they have been a part of, Lane feels each job is as memorable and important to him as the other, no matter how big or small.

“We are proud of every project we are fortunate enough to be a part of. Even though they were small jobs, we provided fire sprinkler systems for some structures near the Alamo. We did one that stood during the siege of the Alamo.

However large nursing homes, schools, warehouses, and apartment complexes seem to be our staple projects.

“ABC Fire Systems strives to make lasting relationships with the general contractors. We are in it as a marathon and not a sprint. This is where many startups fail. Attempting to make it all on one job might work for a while, but it doesn’t in the long run.

As for flying, Lane maintains his passion for flying. He still owns a light twin-engine aircraft and flies as often as he can.

ABC Fire Systems LLC is a full-service fire system subcontractor in New Braunfels, TX. -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Robinson GC that larger companies had. Sometimes overhead is great, and sometimes it’s an anchor. In a bad economy with a lot of the competition, it can prove to be an anchor.”

Having waved the storm of a questionable economy, the Robinsons found that their quality of work was a proven benefit. Good, quality work speaks volumes. But what do you do when your customer wants you to do work outside of your regular scope? For Robinson General Contractors, ground up construction was not something that they set out to do. “We like the remodels. You get in, you get out and jump onto the next job. So when clients asked us to do some ground up projects, well, you don’t tell them no,” adds Kurt.

Robinson General Contractors’ workload is about 35 percent ground up construction. “We still do not actively seek out ground up construction. All of our ground up projects have been on a referral or request basis only. It’s strange how that kind of works out. You do one and then somebody else is knocking on your door wanting you to do another,” continues Kurt.

With the unplanned expansion into ground up construction, the Robinsons found that they were expanding beyond San Antonio. As a matter of fact, they are doing work throughout Texas and might be well on their way to being a nation-

wide contractor.

“It was not in the original plan, but plans change. Some of our customers have asked us to bid work in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. It wasn’t in our initial plan, but they are good customers,” says Kurt.

“We’ve done work in Oklahoma and New Mexico, where we are licensed to do work,” adds Yvette.

Growth is good and the Robinsons are excited about the possibilities. But with growth comes growing pains. The company has grown from a two-person company to a company of 18, with half of the company making up carpenters and superintendents. Hopefully we can continue to find people that want to grow with us and retire with us.” says Yvette.

In addition to celebrating 10 years in business with an expanding growth pattern, Robinson General Contractors is not only planning a celebration, but also making plans for a new facility for their valued employees. “We are currently looking for a future home. I feel like we are close to finding our location, we just haven’t found it yet. Hopefully by the end of summer, we will have an idea of where we are going,” says Yvette.

Robinson GC is a general contractor in San Antonio specializing in commercial construction, contracting and remodeling.

-cmw

continued from Page 1 — Moore Erection LP Erection in 1990, says he never thought he would one day be president of the company. Morton says the company has changed a lot over its 40 years in business, but it is still the same. “1990 was a big growth year for our company. I came here just to work as an ironworker. That is the same year that Paul Hargrave started, and long-time employee Woody Woodward started. Woody retired last year. The company probably doubled in size and took in a lot more work that year.

“It was a good time to come in with Jim and Barbara and growing up through the company with them. When the baton was passed over to those three guys – Buzz, Dallas, and Paul it grew even more.

And then we moved to where we are now.“ The company is currently about 55 employees strong which includes 10 office personnel, shop foreman and safety director. The company maintains safety as a priority and diligently works to stay on top of all OSHA requirements, training

all their employees. “Don Drake is our safety director. He does a great job keeping us trained,” says Morton.

Moore Erection is an AISC certified erector and goes through annual audits to maintain their certification.

“The good thing about our company is our guys. A lot of them can go from one type of job to another. A lot of our preengineered building guys are able to help out our structural crew and some of the structural guys can go over to give our pre-engineered crews a hand. That’s good for us.”

With the busy economy and the challenges of the COVID pandemic, Moore Erection has no plans for a 40-year celebration. That’s not to say they aren’t excited about surviving the ups and downs of the construction industry but would rather celebrate big at the company’s 50th anniversary in 2030.

Moore Erection LP specializes in structural steel erection and custom engineered metal buildings. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Page 19

If you could go back in time, what time period would you go to?

In memoriam I’d love to be in the Rat Pack era. I loved to be a part of that era with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr and company. There’s just something about that time that I feel comfortable with.

Danny Garcia, Rhino Design Build

R

alph S. Marek, co-founder of Marek Brothers Company, has gone to meet his Lord and Savior on Apr. 25. He was 95 years old.

Marek was born in Yoakum, TX on Apr. 25, 1925 to John A. and Hermina Marek. He was raised in a Czech community and spoke the native language. He didn’t learn English until beginning school. Marek’s family lost their farm to foreclosure in the midst of the Great Depression which he never forgot.

He was well known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He had a heart for caring about people, always seeing the best in them regardless of their circumstances or background.

This is evidenced by his unrelenting desire to build a thriving business where the employees were considered its greatest strength. Because of the poverty he and his family had experienced growing up during the Great Depression, he spent his life working to improve the lives of the less fortunate. “The good Lord has given me and my family many blessings,” Marek said on many occasions and he felt, “It is my job to share those blessings with the less fortunate.”

In 1941, Marek graduated from high school at the age of 15. He moved to Houston to join his brothers, John and Bill, who were in the process of founding Marek Brothers Company.

With the onset of WWII, the three brothers put their business on hold and went to service their country. Upon their return from serving their country in WWII, the three brothers picked up where they left off and the Marek Brothers Company became the largest interior contractor in not only Texas, but in the south with branches in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Harlingen, and Atlanta, GA. In addition to Marek Brothers Company, he and his brothers founded Bell Place Builders, a residential rental company and Stanley Construction Company which developed several subdivisions and built homes in Harris, Montgomery and Waller Counties. These companies were built on the founders’ credo that the customer and the employees of the company came first.

Until recently, Marek served as the Chairman of the Board of the Marek Family of Companies which now employs in excess of 5000 skilled craft workers.

Marek had a rare spiritual life.

After attending a weekend retreat at the Holy Name Retreat House on Bunker Hill in 1950, Marek began a spiritual partnership with the Holy Spirit through the rest of his life. Believing that a relationship with the Holy Spirit would help him in making decisions in both his personal and business lives, Marek’s partnership with the Holy Spirit grew his involvement with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This led to the building of the Vincentian Service Center on the Gulf Freeway in Houston, TX, assisting countless people and organizations with food and financial support.

Marek was the driving force behind the Marek’s involvement in the Circle Lake Retreat Center, a 45-acre facility which is now owned by the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston, as well the construction of the Bonita House of Hope, a 200-bed facility on Parker Road that provides transitional housing to women with substance abuse problems and their children.

The Holy Spirit also led to the Marek family’s decision to donate their homes on Marek Road to the Missionary Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa on Marek Road.

This compound includes a 12-bedroom retirement facility. Marek’s house will now be donated to the Carmelites. Ralph also gave the Holy Spirit credit for his and his brothers decision to form the Marek Family Foundation which provides grants to organizations that assist the poor.

Marek spent countless hours helping the less fortunate in personal ways that he saw as part of his calling from the Holy Spirit. Through his relationship with the Holy Spirit, Marek could see that he could not only help others monetarily but spiritually as well and encouraged his relatives and friends to build their own relationship with the Holy Spirit earlier rather than later in their lives. He authored a book about his relationship with the Holy Spirit and has distributed over five 5000 blessed Holy Spirit medals over the last 15 years. It is his wish that all who attend his memorial service be given his book and a Holy Spirit medal if they do not already have one.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society svdphouston.org. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions there will be no funeral. A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held later this summer. -cmw

I think I would like to go back to the late 1800s. I’m kind of an outside type of person and adventurer. I think that time period, looking back at what was going on with a lot of people moving out and rediscovering and things like that would set me right. Taking something new and making it my own and building it the way I want.

People started from scratch and had a little more freedom to be out on your own and do what you wanted to do.

RB Morton, Moore Erection LP Honestly, I can’t think of any time period that I would rather be in than this one. I’m happy. I don’t think I would want to go back any further than when I was born. I love everything about this time.

Monica Harris, Accu-Aire Mechanical LLC That’s going back to the good ‘ol days. I’d like to go back to when Sundays were a day to spend at home because nothing was open. It was a day of rest. It was a day to spend with your family.

Donna Hoss, Blanco Road Mulch & Landscape Materials I’d go back to the pioneering days of the 1800s when the country was expanding west. I read a lot of history and I just find that period of time very interesting.

Mark Stevens, Drury South Inc. s

That’s a tough one. I think I would like to relate this question to business. We began in 2010 and if I had this do all over again, I think I would like to go back to the year 2000 and start my business in 2000 rather than 2010.

The experience I had back in 2000 really was enough for me to do this on my own rather than going into a partnership. I would have rather done this on my own just because of what partnerships really are.

John James, FlexTech I wouldn’t go back in time. I would stay right where I’m at. There is no place I’d rather be. I am happy right here, right now.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

Trae Berry, A-Lert Roof Systems I have always been a cowboy. I was born and raised as a cowboy growing up in a ranching lifestyle. But I think I could have enjoyed being a sailor in the 1600’s.

Lee Lane, ABC Fire Systems LLC I recently watched a Netflix documentary on television. I think it was around the 1930s. It was a time when technology wasn’t there, but it was growing. I loved the way they dressed in that time period, the mannerisms of people and the innovation of the time.

Eden Plata, D. Plata Construction Company We would stay in today. Knowing what we know now and seeing the things what past generations have done, we wouldn’t be where we are today without all that experience and knowlege.

Steve & Daniel Garcia, Bluerock Construction Group

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

Sundt Construction Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Nathan Ghormley as senior project manager to their San Antonio team. Ghormley brings over 20 years of experience with project and contract management experience in various sectors that include hospitality, healthcare, commercial and government. He is OSHA 30 certified and earned his bachelor’s degree in construction science from Texas A&M University in College Station. -cmw

WSP USA is pleased to announced that Art Reinhardt has been named the San Antonio office lead for transportation. Reinhardt will work cooperatively to expand all markets in transportation and infrastructure, support diversification and growth, drive strategic direction, and support the firm in its growth goals in the San Antonio and the surrounding region. He will establish and maintain strong client relationships in the area and ensure client needs are being met and projects are being delivered successfully. -cmw

Page 20

A new milestone

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Industry FOLKS Brenda Ramirez Office Assistant

Turner Construction San Antonio, TX

B

F

David Plata and his wife Martha

amily-owned and operated, D. Plata Construction celebrates 10 years in business. The company filed with the state of Texas on Apr. 19, 2010.

David Plata, who was a previous founding member and owner of Silverado Bros. Company, founded D. Plata Construction after his former company succumbed to the economic slow-down in the mid-2000s when they made the hard decision to shut down the company. He has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry.

Performing the same type of work, Plata, along with his sons David Plata, Jr. and Mauricio Plata, picked up where his father left off as a general contractor specializing in sitework, excavation and street work. The company performs utilities such as gas and water, excavation, embankment, drainage and concrete work such as sidewalks, driveways and curbs and have been performing reconstruction work with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County.

Jumping back into excavation and

L-R: David Plata, Jr., Mauricio Plata, Angel Plata, daughter Amber Plata, owner David Plata and daughter-in-law Eden Plata.

sitework was not a difficult task for D. Plata Construction because David Plata was well known for the work he did in subdivisions being built by DR Horton, KB Homes and others before the housing crash. He was well known and well liked.

Today the company is well established and is bonded to perform projects in excess of $5 to $7 million and now offers health insurance for employees.

In addition to city and county work, D. Plata Construction also performs work for various school districts in and around the City of San Antonio. Their coverage area includes San Antonio and a 45-mile radius around San Antonio. They are a certified contractor with SAWS. Unfortunately, celebration plans were put on hold with the onset of the corona virus pandemic, but the owner was presented with a cake to commemorate the company’s 10th year in business.

D. Plata Construction Company LLC is a SBE, MBE. ESBE sitework and utility contractor in San Antonio. -cmw

orn in Freeport, TX, Ramirez was raised in the small town of Clute, TX. Growing up in Clute was an amazing experience for Ramirez as she was always surrounded by family. She had a multitude of cousins as her dad was the oldest of 11 children.

Ramirez remained in the Clute/ Freeport area where she attended school. After graduating high school, Ramirez attended Brazosport College, a small college in Lake Jackson after graduating from high school in Clute. Attending Brazosport College was very appealing to Ramirez because she was able to live at home and attend school. Her love for numbers and working with numbers led her to an AAS in Work Processing/ Accounting.

“I am truly blessed to have a 19year old daughter, LeeAna. She is my best friend. She is currently obsessed with going to thrift stores and the latest makeup trends.”

Her family recently lost their mini dachshund, Princess Jo. “She lived a good life of 12 years. The lessons we learn from being a dog parent/grandparent are absolutely wonderful.

Dachshunds rule!”

After spending 30 years working as a cost control tech at a chemical plant in Freeport, Ramirez figured it was time to try something new.

“During those 30 years. I spent several years in the engineering depart-

ment and enjoyed the construction phase of each project.”

As Turner Construction’s office assistant and receptionist, Ramirez is the first face you see when you walk into the Turner San Antonio office.

“The best part of the job is meeting all the wonderful people that walk through the Turner doors. Everyone is such a joy to work with and a delight to meet. Being a part of the Turner family is the best! I couldn’t be happier.”

Ramirez’ parents, Louis and Celia Ramirez, are her mentors. “They taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice and having faith. I lost my dad almost five years ago, but every day I can still hear him telling me, ‘when life hands you an onion, you make pico de gallo.’ That saying has taught me to always make the best of every situation no matter how gloomy it may look. My mother has taught me never to be afraid for what’s around the corner and to face new challenges head on and you’ll achieve great results.”

When her workday is done, Ramirez likes to spend time with family. “I enjoy doing number games and reading crime stories.” -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

JOB SIGHTS

Project Engineer John McDaniel captured this photo of Omar Rivera, project manager with Jordan Foster Construction, taking measurements at the downtown AC/Element Hotel renovation project. -cmw

Robert Cisneros with GW Mitchell Construction installs stainless steel caps on the stainless steel “invisible fence” at the McNay Art Museum Landscaping Master Plan – Phase 1 project. - cmw

Ram Hernandez, project superintendent for doing his daily layout at the Gateway Medical Center. is the project’s General Contractor. -cmw

To start their morning at the Texas A&M University at San Antonio project, SpawGlass team members perform stretch and flex exercises, while practicing social distancing. -cmw

Leonard Contracting Inc.’s Ed Torres secures metal framing at the Lone Star jeep project. -cmw

Alterman employees L-R: Max Gamboa, Steve Longoria and Alex Zavala done their COVID-19 PPE and practice social distancing while on new pipeline, bringing 45 million gallons of water to San Antonio per day. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

Industry Looking Positive in San Antonio

Overview of San Antonio Construction Industry

Submitted by Steven Schultz President Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter

• During a recent online meeting with AGC and AIA members, AIA Chapter President Federico Cavazos said the K-12 and higher education markets still look good for San Antonio. He noted that during the pandemic, architects miss meeting with their clients and industry partners in person but noted technology has allowed them to communicate more efficiently, especially with general contractors. People have been more flexible with their time have been more open to collaborating during non-traditional hours.

This is likely to carry over post COVID-19.

• AGC Chapter President Luis Berumen said local contractors are very fortunate to be considered “essential” and that while we are physically separated as an industry “we have never been closer.”

Grit, determination, and technology are allowing us to get through this together.

He also noted that early on, many companies formed response teams to address the ensuing crisis. This has allowed many companies to maintain business continuity even as some revenue has declined.

• Some companies are using online platforms like Microsoft Teams very effectively to coordinate OAC meetings and virtual bid days. This is just one example of an industry innovation during the pandemic that is expected to be part of the new normal.

• Ever since construction was deemed essential in San Antonio, companies have been focused on safety and health on local construction sites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O58y9m0hwRY. • Supply chain disruptions cited by AGC members include PPE, AC units, water pumps, and light fixtures. Obviously, any supplies coming from China and Italy have been a problem for contractors across the country.

• Hospitality, retail, and entertainment projects are likely to be in less de-

• San Antonio construction industry is alive and moving, although not at the pace many thought six months ago.

With the arrival of COVID-19 there has been a change in how, when, where and why a business operates. While some parts of the country came to a stop, Texas has allowed construction state wide to proceed. There have been attempts in certain areas of Texas to have construction declared non-essential or restrictions put in place which created additional challenges for contractors, but construction is still proceeding.

• Locally, most contractors are busy bidding work and building projects. For now.

A few proposed projects have been put on hold, plans for new projects are being delayed, and the economic uncertainty has caused some owners/ developers to rethink their strategy. But there is still quite a bit of work to bid. There are also signs indicating this is a good time for owners/developers to proceed.

• Construction input prices fell 4.4% in April from the previous month which is an important reason to move forward as there are cost savings that could be reaped during this period. Initiating

construction now may position projects to come online as the broader economy begins to recover. This is particularly true for the federal government and other levels of government to invest in infrastructure. This may be a challenge for the public sector as state and local governments are projecting a decline in tax revenue (another reason to get the economy up and running).

• Contractors will need to continue to implement strong COVID-19 protocols for the foreseeable future. Some of these practices will even become a normal component of business operations.

Companies will now include health aspects as part of their corporate safety culture.

• Remote working, virtual meetings and scheduling of personnel (at the jobsite and in the office) initially done in response to COVID-19 may become part of a company’s normal business operations.

• So for now, contractors are busy.

There have been some changes, with most being positive. It’s a good time to be in Texas, and San Antonio.

DUDE, Sign up for your Free Subscription to Construction News. www.ConstructionNews.net

Submitted by Doug McMurry Executive Vice President Associated General Contractors San Antonio Chapter mand while healthcare construction and healthcare-related manufacturing projects could see more activity in San Antonio. The future also looks bright for data centers.

• Even though the U.S. unemployment rate is at a level not seen since the Great Depression, the local construction industry’s labor woes did not evaporate.

Some local companies are still having a hard time filling positions. That’s why AGC supports new workforce development initiatives by the city and county to train local service workers for new, postcoronavirus careers in construction.

• Sales tax revenue fell in April by just over nine percent, its biggest decline in a decade, the Texas Comptroller said May 1. The biggest shortfalls to sales tax revenue came from restaurants, movie and performance theaters, theme parks, fitness centers and boutique retail shops.

That will be a drag on the economy for many months to come.

• Many private projects have been cancelled or put on hold. Some public entities moved bond elections from May to November, or next year.

• While only about one percent of the local workforce is directly employed by oil and gas industry, the collapse of oil prices many have a ripple effect through the Texas economy. But as Dallas Fed economist Keith Phillips said recently, some of the Eagle Ford Shale’s oilfield workers flock to the city during downtimes to work in construction. Meantime, contractors and consumers are paying much less for fuel.

• A $1 billion investment in building construction creates about 12,900 jobs over the course of one year. So, if we keep investing in the construction of schools, hospitals, grocery stores and other needed projects the construction industry will persevere.

San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020

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Industry FOLKS Oscar Fernandez Marketing & Advertising

Allen & Allen Co. San Antonio, TX

O

scar Fernandez was born in Mexico City, Mexico and moved to San Antonio when he was seven years old.

After moving to San Antonio, they traveled back to Mexico for the summers.

This allowed him to stay fluent in both English and Spanish. “Growing up in both countries made for a richer education and established great family values.”

Wanting to follow the family business in communication and marketing, Fernandez enrolled in San Antonio College after high school where he studied Communication and TV/Radio. Unfortu-

nately, he did not complete his degree.

Fernandez began looking for a serious job when he decided to marry his wife, Patti, of 32 years. That is when one of the owners of Allen & Allen called him for an interview. It was 1988 and the rest is history.

“They hired me to design and publish all their advertising vehicles and their 400page catalog before the digital age. They also asked me to focus on their international clients in Mexico where I helped estab-

lished three successful decorative showrooms in Mexico City.”

Today, Fernandez helps manage Allen & Allen’s Decorative Showroom, specifically architectural door, cabinet hardware and unique plumbing fixtures for Allen & Allen clients’ new homes and re-models in Texas and Mexico.

“I love marketing our company. I like the design aspect of my job the best. There are thousands of options in design and when it comes to our products, the sky is the limit. I love to see our clients’ reactions to our products and their satisfaction when they see it in their finished homes.”

Every aspect of Fernandez’ life has been impacted by someone he knows. His grandfather, father, mother and the pastor at his church stand out the most. “They have all planted many seeds in my life that have made me the man I am today. They were/are all faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. I just followed and the fruit is evident in my life and family.”

35 million square feet

R

A-Lert Roof Systems installs new retrofitted, sloped metal roof on the Lampasas Middle School gymnasium.

ecognizing a need for a solution to leaking flat roofs, Kenny Tharp founded A-Lert Roof Systems and developed a unique framing system.

The framing is installed to create a slope over an existing flat roof and metal panels are installed on the sloped framing.

This system drains rainwater off of the roof expeditiously. This roofing process also allowed Tharp to leave the original flat roof in place so buildings were not exposed while the sloped metal roof was being installed and customers avoided the potential expense of tearing the old roof off.

“While most flat roofs had a life expectancy of about five to 10 years, the new metal retrofitted roofs had a much

You always look good in Construction News

longer life. A retrofitted, sloped metal roof can last two to three times longer depending on the climate,” says Vice President Trae Berry.

Tharp was able to grow A-Lert Roof Systems through hiring good, hardworking folks that wanted to see the company grow. Of course, the need for retrofit roofing, especially in the midwest with the snow and in Texas and the south with the heat causing flat roofs to leak, was a major factor.

“When people figured out what ALert did and how we did it, they were amazed. We became a niche company and we are very good at what we do. It allowed us to grow. Word of mouth has

probably helped us the most especially all through the mid-west and the south,” continues Berry.

Now 45 years later, A-Lert Roof Systems is well-known throughout the continental United States as metal roofs have become more popular with architects and owners recognizing the benefits of metal roofing. “We have two locations.

One in Kansas and one in Texas. We have installed over 35 million square feet of roof. We also offer other products and services such as self-storage buildings, component sales and general contracting services,” adds Berry.

Specializing in standing seam metal roof systems, the company now manu-

Family is everything. Anyone who knows the Fernandez family, knows they worship together, shop together, travel together, party together and try to attend every sport event that their children, nephews or grandchildren are involved in. “One of the biggest blessings working at Allen & Allen was having the flexibility to attend every sport event that my daughter and son were involved in from K4 to College – nothing can top that.

“I am a firm believer in God. I prayed for a job in marketing and advertising, and he blessed me with this job. When Buzz Miller, the then owner of Allen & Allen, hired me in May of 1988, he told me ‘we do not have titles in this company, but when you get your business cards made, put your name on it and “marketing and advertising” below your name.’

Prayer answered. Pray specifically so you will know where the answer comes from. -cmw

factures all of their parts in house, which wasn’t the case in the early days of the company. Early on, the framing members were purchased outside the company, while the panels were manufactured in house. “Manufacturing all of our materials really gives us an advantage in the marketplace because there is no middleman. We are a one-stop shop. We have our own engineer in house. We have our own design and detailing department for our convenience and as a great tool for our customers to utilize. We are a full-blown, self-sufficient company,” adds Berry.

A-Lert Roof Systems services all of the United States. A-Lert Roof Systems was instrumental in expediting the functional return to service of Naval Air Station Pensacola after it suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

“We work on everything from schools to churches and military installments to municipal buildings,” Berry maintains.

The company Tharp started 45 years ago is going strong and one might think Tharp would sit behind the desk and enjoy the fruits of his labor. That is not the case. Tharp can be seen from time to time out on a job site working a crane. He is still very hands-on. “He is a sharp guy.

He never stops and is always on the go.

He just goes from job to job and hardly spends any time in the office,” says Berry.

Berry says the company has no immediate plans for a 45th celebration, especially amid the unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic, but says they look forward to celebrating the company’s 50th.

A-Lert Roofing Systems is a full-service metal roofing company located in New Braunfels, TX. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • JUN 2020